Area man chosen for N.Y. 'Recovery Rally'
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By SANDI SWITZER HERALD CORRESPONDENT - Published: September 11, 2009
Don McGee has dedicated his life to helping addicts bridge the gap between addiction and recovery by co-founding Rutland County treatment centers.
On Saturday, McGee will be crossing another bridge in an effort to bring awareness that addiction is a treatable disease and recovery is possible.
McGee was chosen as Vermont's delegate for "Recovery Rally." The event is expected to draw an estimated 10,000 people, including delegates from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, to lower Manhattan for a rally and symbolic walk across historic Brooklyn Bridge.
The rally is part of the Recovery Project initiative created through the collaborative efforts of A&E Network, the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence, Faces and Voices of Recovery, and Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
"I'm looking forward to it. It'll be noisy, probably emotional, but I'm doing it to shine a spotlight on treatment and recovery," McGee said.
The 70-year-old Wallingford resident, who has 38 years in recovery for alcohol addiction, co-founded Serenity House in Wallingford and Grace House and McGee House in Rutland.
"I've been clean and sober since February 16, 1971," he said.
In March 1972, while on parole after serving time for alcohol-related offenses including breach of peace and destruction of property, McGee founded Serenity House.
Grace House opened three years later in 1975 and McGee House was founded in 2004. All three centers provide low-cost residential substance abuse treatment for men and women regardless of ability to pay.
"I went to a treatment place myself and I saw the need and I thought I could do it, so I did," McGee said of his reasons for establishing Serenity House.
While many people who have undergone substance-abuse treatment do not like to talk about it, McGee has no problem sharing his story if it helps others. "The main thing people should know is people can recover and treatment works," he said.
McGee added there was also a financial element to the issue.
"When the addict or alcoholic stops using, it saves tons of money in doctors' visits, hospital costs, with the police, jails and courts," he said.
McGee said addiction not only affects the person, but families and friends as well. "We could really make a big impact financially if we can stop the domino effect," he said.
Participating in the Recovery Rally gives McGee another opportunity to share his message of recovery and treatment.
"I know what we do works," he said, "and I've seen it work for over 30 years."
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